Hi Mary Ann,

Sorry for the delay in response! I've added myself to the DOG JC group. Thanks for the invite.

I was just by this morning and it does look like the dog run is almost done. They were smoothing out the ground. Gotta say that this is the nicest dog run I've ever seen--benches, trees, water fountains. It's way too nice for my dogs, jk! Looking forward to the official opening...

Jenn

Thanks for responding! Where is the infamous "tick castle"? I haven't explored too much; usually just stick to the main jogging paths! :)

Hi Everyone,
I'm a recent JC transplant on the West Side with 2 dogs. I'm posting just to generally see who all is out there (since most of the dog-related forums on this site relate to the downtown parks.)

Re Lincoln Park, what a great place for dogs! Shoutout to the guy with Rotty, guy with the black lab, and the couple with the boxer I see all the time! Looks like that's a new dog run they built back there between the rear baseball fields. Anyone using it? (Jim with the 2 brown dobermans-that's me the Asian chick with 2 labs you met recently). :) Also, does anyone ever use the back trails that go along the river? The trailhead is totally hidden and starts near the new dogrun. I tried once and the grass was too high after awhile... Maybe in the winter...

Also, for all you other dog owners in JC (esp you guys in Hamilton and Van Vorst), in addition to Lincoln Park, Liberty State Park is absolutely amazing to walk your dogs at. So is Stephen Gregg park in Bayonne. I know it's tough without a car, but trust me, it's worth getting to!

Jenn

I just bought a condo at Westside Station about 5 blocks from where you are looking (3 blcks south of Communipaw and closer to Rte 440). About 60% of downtown JC prices. At first I was stressed out about the neighborhood having moved from the NJ burbs but I've definitely acclimated since and have met/interacted with nice neighbors both locals and transplants like me and my husband. With 2 dogs, we go to Lincoln Park every day and we love it. The cops are always friendly to us and we've gotten to know alot of other dog owners. Communipaw is fine for the most part. I have no qualms going to Walgreens or McD's or KFC (I'll admit we always drive) day or night. But when I walk home from the train station after dark, I will confess that I do try to remain alert to my surroundings. Since you have a car I would try it out. The good thing about rentals is that you only have to commit to a year. Anyways, given the spate of crimes in downtown JC (see other posts) I think it kind of diminishes some of the other posters' arguments that downtown is so much better. Best of luck with your rental search!